CYBERSECURITY experts have revealed 21 smartphone apps you should never download.

The list has been described by specialists as the worst Android malware apps of the past year, according to .

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"It is essential to know that most of these apps are also available on Google Play Store.

"Unfortunately, because of a library of millions of apps, it is pretty challenging for Google to keep the Play Store free of malicious apps," the Marlware Fox experts warn.

They advised deleting any of the apps immediately if you spot them on your phone.

It's also worth flagging them to Google or an official app store if you spot them on the platform.

Some of the malicious apps may be spread via third-party stores or via emails and texts.

It's best to always download from a reputable store and do your own research before downloading.

Apps on the list include scam gaming content that could lure in gamers.

The list also includes malicious emoji apps, photo editing apps and malware-ridden messenger apps.

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It's always advisable to read reviews of apps before you download them.

Bear in mind that some of these reviews may be fake.

If an app only has a small number of suspiciously positive reviews or a high number of negative reviews, it could be worth avoiding.

Remember, just because an app is on the Google Play Store or Apple's App Store, it's not necessarily safe.

The tech giants put a lot of measures in place to try and prevent malicious apps from appearing in their stores.

Occasionally, a few slip through the safety nets so it's always best to be cautious.